The Open-Hand Trap of Class C

The solid wood bookshelves of this library exude an air of understated luxury.

Under the glow of the lights, they shimmer with a warm, restrained luster. Both the lighting and the objects themselves are indispensable.

The design of the bookshelves follows a classic style, with multi-layered structures that are staggered yet perfectly balanced.

The structural design is reminiscent of ancient imperial archives.

A modern desk lamp, fitted with a traditional dark green shade, creates a unique sense of contrast.

The study session begins as scheduled in a corner of the library. The Three Idiots, the two loners, and the little angel of Class D are all present.

It looks like a nouveau riche pairing with LV, possessing a beauty untainted by knowledge.

"This is so hard, there's no way we can finish studying this."

"Yeah, Sudo, nothing is sticking in my brain." The gorilla and the horny monkey complain.

"Truly living up to the name of 'defective products,' tsk tsk." Yamawaki sneers at Sudo.

"What did you say!"

"Huh? ...Class D being defective products is common knowledge, isn't it?"

"You're emphasizing that point on purpose—are you here to start a fight?"

"Just joking. I'm Yamawaki from Class C, nice to meet you."

Yamawaki wears a malicious smile, radiating an ominous aura.

"Come to think of it, sorting by ability is a wonderful thing. I couldn't possibly keep studying alongside idiots."

"What did you say!"

The one who stands up in anger first is, needless to say, Sudo.

"I'm just telling the truth, don't get so angry. If you cause a scene in school, who knows how much it will affect your point evaluation? Oh, but it seems you don't have any points left to deduct anyway. In other words, you might just get expelled?"

Sudo is about to lash out, but stops due to the arrival of an unexpected person.

"That's enough!"

A student with long, pink-gold hair speaks up.

She is Ichinose from Class B, a girl who embodies both beauty and wisdom.

"The provocations from Class C have gone too far. If this continues, I will report Class C's behavior to the school. With so many witnesses present, it won't be easy for you to get away with it."

"Who are you? Don't get involved in things that don't concern you."

"Oi, oi. I can't just sit by and watch while little angel Ichinose is being bullied."

Nagami, who has been reading in the library, comes over to mediate upon seeing the dispute.

"Nagami-kun, 'little angel' is a bit much, don't you think?"

"Nagami? The Nagami from Class D!"

Yamawaki's mood begins to calm, his expression shifting from fierce to fawning. It seems Ryuen has been training them well; clearly, he has heard of Nagami's reputation.

(Did Shiina tell the rest of the class about me? That was fast.)

"As for fighting, Yamawaki-kun, you're welcome to come to the Sanda club for a spar. The members there are all talented, and they speak so nicely—I just love it there."

With that, he presses down on Yamawaki's shoulder, his powerful grip making Yamawaki's bones creak.

Unable to break free, Yamawaki immediately chooses the optimal solution for the moment.

"Sorry, it was my fault. I apologize to you all."

"Ah, we're all classmates, we should get along. I accept your apology."

"Wait, I'm the one who should be getting an apology, I haven't even..."

Before Sudo can finish, Yamawaki slips away like an eel.

"Thank you, Nagami-kun. Recently, the people from Class C have been harassing Class B students everywhere; they're as annoying as mosquitoes. I didn't expect Class D to be targeted too."

"Haha, Ichinose has been targeted by mosquitoes too, huh? They're as annoying as mosquitoes, and killing them just makes your hands dirty."

"Are you free for karaoke tonight? With the people from Class B." Ichinose invites Nagami to the gathering.

"Sorry! I still prefer being alone; I'm a bit socially anxious around too many people." Nagami currently has no interest in parties.

"What a pity. Kana! Kana!"

After Ichinose says her goodbyes.

"Nagami-kun, you were watching from the side the whole time, weren't you? You only stepped in once Ichinose got involved. Are your own classmates not as important as Ichinose?"

Horikita speaks up with dissatisfaction.

If you can't find the book title, try searching for the author; perhaps the name was just changed!

"Besides, you even found someone else to take your place at the study session. You don't look very busy to me."

"Ah, that's hurtful, Horikita-san. I just happened to be reading nearby. I value every single classmate in this class."

Nagami spreads his hands, expressing his helplessness.

(A feeling of valuing it as much as a revival coin.)

"That's right, Nagami isn't that kind of person."

Kushida's statement caused the scales of the small group to tip instantly; such is the charm of a social butterfly.

"That would be for the best."

"Sudo, don't fall for Class C's provocations next time. Something bad might happen."

"I know that, obviously. Don't look down on me."

(It's not easy, is it? If I were facing a red-haired gorilla and a monkey, I wouldn't be able to resist punching them.)

(Sigh, I have my own unspeakable difficulties. Not participating in the study group is also for the sake of my classmates' safety.)

(I once got angry while in a state of extreme anger. Given the tolerance of an ordinary person, lying in bed for a week wouldn't be a problem.)

(This is the weight of 40-arm-dimension.)

With only three days left until the official test, an unusual atmosphere surrounded the classroom—a Damocles' sword known as failing.

The air grew tense until Kushida spoke up.

"Everyone, sorry, before you all head home, I have something for you," Kushida said from the podium.

"These are the past exam papers from when the upperclassmen entered the school. It's very likely the questions won't change for this test."

The class was like a red-hot iron ball thrown into a swimming pool; the entire room erupted.

"What, then the test is basically easy. I wouldn't have studied so hard if I'd known."

"Kushida, you really are our angel."

"Thank you, Kushida..." the Three Idiots and other students thanked her in unison.

Three days later, the moment Chabashira stepped into the classroom, she scanned the students. The students held their breath, waiting for the midterm results to be announced, which filled the classroom with an extraordinary atmosphere.

"Teacher, I heard the exam results are being announced today. When will that be?" Hirata asked.

"Hirata, there's no need to be so excited, is there? A test of that level should be quite easy."

"...May I ask when it will be?"

"You can be happy, I'm announcing it right now. Because if I wait until after school, it will be too late for various procedures."

"What... does that mean?"

I had a bad premonition.

"Don't be nervous, I'm announcing it now," Chabashira said, preparing to reveal the truth.

It showed that among the five subjects, Sudo had scored around sixty in four of them, which was quite high. However, his most important English score was thirty-nine.

Chabashira picked up a red pen and drew a red line over Sudo's English score.

Then, she wrote a simple calculation on the blackboard.

Above it was written—79.6 ÷ 2 = 39.8.

It turned out to be the average score divided by two; Sudo had failed.

"This proves that you have failed. That is all."

"This has to be a lie... Could it be, I... I... am I going to be expelled?"

Sudo stuttered the word "I" several times before collapsing onto his desk in despair.

"Sudo, I'll be waiting for you in the faculty office after school."

Chabashira walked out of the classroom. The class began to discuss whether there was any way to solve this.

Ayanokoji seemed to realize something, then followed in the direction of the teacher.

(Could it be that points can be bought? If so, transferring classes or avoiding expulsion once should also be purchasable, though the cost wouldn't be low. Passing by the upperclassmen's classrooms, not a single class has a full 40 students.)

Before long, Ayanokoji walked back into the classroom. It was a massive bloodletting, he noted, mentioning that it cost 100,000 points to buy a single point.

Four subjects at 50 points would cost 20 million. It could guarantee passing a test once.

"Thank you, Ayanokoji. From now on, you're my best brother."

Sudo lowered his head and pressed his palms together in gratitude.

Unfortunately, misfortunes never come singly. On June 1st, the expected points did not arrive as promised, and a sudden change occurred.